Why Does it Matter?

Chapter 30: Chemistry

"So, thank you. Thank you for the endless support and love that you have given me. I hope I had reach you and touch your heart for the journey that we shared together. To the fans and supporters, I want to extend my gratitude towards you. Leaving you with this words; Go chase your dreams, reach the peak but never leave those people who supported you on the raging passion that you have in your heart, because true success is determined if you find the satisfaction in you, and that's in the arms of those people who will still love you 'till the end. I hope to see you one the next journey that I'll pursue." I said and withdraw myself from the podium that I'm standing a while ago. Numbers of flashes and some questions thrown to me pero agad akong inalalayan ng iilang boucer so we may get to the conference room para makausap naman ang mga sponsors sa isang pribadong lugar.

"Iyssa! Captain! Dalaga ka na!" Sigaw sa akin ni Dwayne pagkatapos naming makapasok, iniangkla niya agad ang mga kamay niya sa akin at niyakap ako ng mahigpit. Ginulo ko naman 'din ang buhok niya habang siya ay lumalayo sa akin.

"Mami Aryanna Gayle pa 'rin hanggang dulo!" Matinis na sabi naman ni Kim at nakipag-apir pa kayna Thinker. Tinaasan ko naman 'din siya ng kilay dahil sa pag-ayos niya ng boy-cut niyang buhok. Tatawa-tawa pa siya habang nakikipagkulitan sa ibang players.

"Tsk. Ayusin mo muna problema mo kay Sydnney." Sabat ni Mina in a monotone as she looks down on Kim. Natahimik naman si Kim dahil doon kaya't nagtawanan kami.

"Girls! I'm so proud of you." Napatingin kami kay coach Rem ng lumapit siya sa amin. He handed out his hand on me na agad ko namang tinanggap at nginitian siya. His been with us for years, and up until now, wala siyang sawang sumuporta sa bawat hakbang na gagawin ng bawat isa sa amin.

"So well have to say good bye to the great Veriane Montevedra!" Napalingon kami sa pinto at isa-isa ng pumasok ang mga sponsors sa loob ng conference room. Nagtanguan sila bago ako alayan ng palakpak habang hindi ko naman 'din mapigilan ang pagluha dahil sa suporta nila sa akin sa mga nagdaang taon. My heart is filled with warmth, along their praises and farewell messages. I could only whisper to Him how thankful I'm with this blessing in my life.

"Anong pagkakaabalahan mo ngayon? After chasing the girl of your dreams?" Asar ng isang ginang kaya naman nagtawanan kami dahil sa sinabi niya. They even told me to introduce the girl dahil niyayaya nila ako to be part of the sponsoring crew for the team. I grin on the players ng makita kung paano sila kiligin dahil doon. Ever since they have been rooting me for Yanna.

"I'll focus on the center po, then I'm thinking of expanding the program po. Maybe the center can also contribute to sponsor the team." I said and they all seem to agree. Natuwa naman ang players sa sinabi ko at maging si coach ay tumango 'rin. Ang iba ay nag-offer pa ng investment sa center that will surely put more on the program that I'll be planning for it.

Nang matapos ang meeting, another contract signing for the girls and their farewell for me ay dumeretso na ako sa sasakyan ko. I still need to catch a flight papuntang Madrid. Hindi ako pwedeng magsayang ng oras.

"Veriane..." napahinto ako sa tumawag sa akin. I can feel my heart beats faster by just her call, madalas sa takot ko sa kanya pero ngayon ay dahil sa apeksyon na dala ng tinig niya. When I look back, I saw her with bloodshot eyes, ang ilong ay namumula kasama ng pisnge niya. Her paper white skin is discolored with the redness from her cries a while ago.

"Mama..." I called out to her at muli na namang bumuhos ang luha niya dahil sa sinabi ko. I try to walk closer to her pero nagtangis na siya papunta sa akin, hugging me tightly like she's about to lose me.

"Anak... I'm so sorry for the past years that I've been hard with you..." Agad niyang bulong sa akin habang hawak pa ang buhok ko at niyayakap ako ng mahigpit. A sudden warmth in my chest as her hug is all I could feel that makes my eyes wet on the corners. Hindi na napigilan ang pag-iyak pa.